Amazon Surprise!

So, the other day Hubby told me my Amazon order came in. I was surprised, since I had just placed an order the night before. But the books in the box weren't the ones I ordered, though they had been on my Amazon list.

I didn't see anything on the packing slip to clue me in. . . Did someone send me a surprise from Amazon?

March 05, 2008  |  Comments (5)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Reviewed: January Books

Wild Geese by Ogai Mori
Wild Geese is considered a classic in Japanese literature. I started reading Japanese fiction (modern) when we lived in Ukraine and happened upon several books. Since finding books in English was a boon, I read a lot when we were there that I may never have picked off of a library shelf in the U.S. I discovered I really enjoy Japanese lit. Wild Geese is a story of both making opportunities and just-missed opportunities. The story revolves around a student and a concubine and the people in their lives, and is not one to read when you are in a happily-ever-after mood. Then again, Japanese lit rarely is. 8/10

(Thanks for the encouragement to post, Kristen and MbG Reading Circle!)

February 01, 2008  |  Comments (1)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

2008 Hope-To-Read List

I love to read. But I've found that over the past several years of first small children, then diminished attention span, then being in school. . . I've skimmed tons of books and read very little.

Last year I posted a book list, inspired by Kristen's encouragement to PLAN our reading and SHARE the good and not-so-good books. I really like reading book summaries from others, and Kristen's and Meagan's are among my favorites. True confession: I didn't read a SINGLE one of these books cover to cover (though I skimmed most--and did read and skim others not listed there.)

Then, there is always my Amazon list--which is more of a "books and stuff that caught my eye" than it is an actual WISH list. Still, it keeps track of the books I'd like to check out from the library or read or skim. Many of the ones I've recently added are from my friends sharing what they are planning on reading this year.

Most of all, this year I'd like to spend more time reading from paper pages and less time reading from screens, as diber says.

2008 Hope-To-Read List

1. Care for the Soul: Exploring the Intersection of Psychology & Theology

2. Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers
by Gordon Neufeld

3. Rediscovering Catechism: The Art of Equipping Covenant Children
by Donald Van Dyken

4. When Sinners Say "I Do": Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage
by Dave Harvey

5. Nurturing children in the Lord: A study guide for teachers on developing a Biblical approach to discipline
by Jack Fennema

6. Blankets
by Craig Thompson

7. Gilead: A Novel
by Marilynne Robinson

8. Foucault's Pendulum
by Umberto Eco

9. The Supper of the Lamb: A Culinary Reflection (Modern Library Paperbacks)
by Robert Farrar Capon

10. The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals
by Michael Pollan

11. The Child in Christian Thought (Religion, Marriage, and Family)

12. Dealing With Disappointment: Helping Kids Cope When Things Don't Go Their Way
by Elizabeth Crary

13. Romancing the Difference: Kenneth Burke, Bob Jones University, and the Rhetoric of Religious Fundamentalism (Studies in Rhetoric and Religion)
by Camille Kaminski Lewis

14. Marks of His Wounds: Gender Politics and Bodily Resurrection
by Beth Felker Jones

What are you planning/hoping to read this year?

January 02, 2008  |  Comments (8)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Jerram Barr’s Booklist for Children

Update: Added to Lists of Bests!

This post is copied whole-cloth from Megan at Half Pint House. I had to visit her site from the library today to access it, and I really want to keep a copy easy to find online (in case her site ever goes down.) I'm copying her explanation and commentary, so those who see this booklist understand the context.

Jerram Barr's Booklist for Children

Filed under: Books & Culture — Megan at 8:15 pm on Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Jerram Barrs is a highly respected professor here at Covenant and Craig has the amazing opportunity to be his teaching assistant beginning this summer. Last fall, Craig took one of his classes in which he handed out a list of his favorite books for children and I’m posting it here, for others to see, and also so I’ll have an electronic version of it for future reference.

From Jerram: These are books most of which I read to our sons, and/or books I or they read as kids or as teens - with a few exceptions of more recently published books that I am discovering for myself, our sons and our grandchildren. I love to read good children’s books as some of the most creative writing and illustrating is done for children. The test of a well-written book is whether it is a pleasure to read it aloud. All children are different, and this is good - one may be ready to hear Narnia at 3, another not until 6 or 7, so don’t be bothered by this. All children like good illustrations, and all children like the rhymes, rhythms and sounds of verse. Make reading to them a habit at an early age and they will learn to love to read themselves. Many good books have filmed versions - occasionally I have noted these as a movie or TV series may be a helpful way to introduce children to a new level of literature. Books are listed as I thought of them, not in any systematic order. I have omitted many delightful books like those by Dr. Seuss with which most people are familiar. Happy reading!

C. S. Lewis:
The Chronicles of Narnia - depending on the child can be read from 3-6 and up

J. R. R. Tolkien:
The Hobbit
The Lord of the Rings - excellent films
The Silmarillion

Famer Giles of Ham
Roverandom - a story Tolkien made up for his own children

Meindert DeJong:
The House of Sixty Fathers
The Easter Cat
The Wheel on the School
Dirks’ Dog Bello & many other excellent books for 5 or 6 and up

Beatrix Potter:
The Tale of Benjamin Bunny
Peter Rabbit
Jemima Puddleduck & many others; don’t be surprised by death in her tales

Shel Silverstein:
Lafcadio, the Lion who Shot Back
The Giving Tree
Where the Sidewalk Ends - Poems and Drawings - & many others

Mary Norton:
The Borrowers - & series

Concordia Publishing:
The Arch Books - our favorite set of illustrated Bible Stories, many in verse

Catherine Vos:
Children’s Story Bible

Dick King Smith:
The Fox Busters - one of my favorite books
The Sheep Pig - also a movie ‘Babe’
The Mouse Butcher & several other wonderful books for 5 upwards

Lewis Carroll:
Through the Looking Glass
Alice in Wonderland
Jaberwocky & other poems - children love nonsense poetry

Julia Donaldson:
The Gruffalo - one of my grandchildren’s favorite books
The Gruffalo’s Child & other books for children 2 & up

Arnold Lobel:
Frog and Toad are Friends
Mouse Tales & many other good books for small children

Michael Bond:
A Bear Called Paddington & many others in series

Anne Holm:
I am David - this is one of the finest children’s books - also a good movie
The Hostage

Margaret Wise Brown:
The Velveteen Rabbit
Goodnight Moon
The Runaway Bunny - a great book, read by Dr. Calhoun for faculty devotion

Jan Brett:
Annie and the Wild Animals - a wonderful illustrator as well as story-teller
The Twelve Days of Christmas
The Umbrella
Jan Brett’s Christmas Treasury - & many others for 2 and up

Johann Wyss:
The Swiss Family Robinson - a classic & also a good movie

Captain Maryatt:
Children of the New Forest - a classic

J. M. Barrie:
Peter Pan - also a fine film

The Brothers Grimm:
Fairy Tales

Hans Christian Anderson:
Treasury of Fairy Stories

Michelle Magorian:
Goodnight Mr. Tom - one of the best books, an award winner, 8 and up

George MacDonald:
The Princess and the Curdie
The Princess and the Goblin
The Gifts of the Child Christ (2 volume set of short stories - Eerdmans)

R. D. Blackmore:
Lorna Doone

Nick Butterworth:
Percy’s Bumpy Ride - a friend from English L’Abri years ago
The Treasure Hunt - & many more, great for 2 and up

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings:
The Yearling

Thomas Hughes:
Tom Brown’s School Days

Mary Rayner:
Garth Pig and the Ice Cream Lady - & many more, for 2 and up

Richmal Crompton:
William - almost two dozen in boys’ series, very English and lots of fun

Barbara Euphan Todd:
Worzel Gummidge - the main character is a scarecrow

John White:
The Tower of Gerburah & other stories in his series - a believer

Roald Dahl:
Danny the Champion of the World - this is a wonderful book
George’s Marvelous Medicine
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - & many more

Rudyard Kipling:
The Jungle Book
The Second Jungle Book
Just So Stories

Ursula Leguin:
The Wizard of Earthsea
The Farthest Shore - & many others

Brian Jacques:
Mossflower
The Bellmaker
Lord Brocktree - & many more in series, wonderful books

Collections:
Tales from the Arabian Nights
The Adventures of Robin Hood - many versions incl. one by John Steinbeck
Aesop’s Fables

Tove Jansson:
Moominsummer Madness
Moominland Midwinter & others in series

Fred Gipson:
Old Yeller

Kenneth Grahame:
The Wind in the Willows

T. H. White:
The Sword in the Stone - & series, excellent
Mistress Masham’s Repose

Jonathan Swift:
Gulliver’s Travels - find an edition with good illustrations

John Bunyan:
The Pilgrim’s Progress

B. B.:
The Wizard of Boland - & several others

Charles and Mary Lamb:
Tales from Shakespeare

Anna Sewell:
Black Beauty

Enid Bagnold:
National Velvet - also a famous movie with young Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Speare:
The Witch of Blackbird Pond
The Bronze Bow & many more

Frances Hodgson Burnett:
The Secret Garden - also a movie - a truly wonderful book
The Lost Prince
A Little Princess

E. Nesbitt:
The Treasure Seekers
The Railway Children - good movie version
Five Children and It

R. M. Rallantyne:
The Coral Island

Ed. Sara & Stephen Corin:
Stories for under 5’s, for 5’s, for 6’s etc. up to 10’s and over

Noel Streatfield:
White Boots
Thursday’s Child
Theater Shoes - & several others

H. F. Brinsmead:
Pastures of the Blue Crane

William Horwood:
Duncton Wood - a wonderful book

Henry Treece:
The Road to Miklagard
Viking’s Dawn & many others

Rosemary Sutcliffe:
The Eagle of the Ninth
The Rider on the White Horse - & many more excellent books

Baroness Orczy:
The Scarlet Pimpernel

Lloyd Alexander:
The Book of Three
The Black Cauldron - & many more in series

Owen Barfield:
The Silver Trumpet

Robert Louis Stevenson:
Treasure Island - this gave me nightmares for years as a child when read
Kidnapped
The Black Arrow

Ted Hughes:
How the Whale Became and Other Stories

Richard Adams:
Watership Down - this is an outstanding book
Shardik

Gerald Durrell:
My Family and Other Animals - an outstanding funny book & BBC TV series
The Bafut Beagles
Beasts in my Bed - & many more about his work collecting for zoos

Jean Lee Latham:
Carry on Mr. Bowditch - a true story & fine book

J. Meade Faulkner:
Moonfleet

Alan Garner:
Elidor

Katherine Patterson:
The Bridge to Terabithia

A. Rutgers van der Loeff:
Children of the Oregon Trail

Quentin Blake:
Clown
Nursery Rhyme Book - many others, wonderful illustrator

Patricia St. John:
Treasures of the Snow - also a movie
The Tanglewoods’ Secret
The Mystery of Pheasant Cottage
Star of Light
Twice Freed
Runaway - the author was a missionary & also a fine writer

A. A. Milne:
The House at Pooh Corner
When We Were Very Young
And Now We are Six - & others - fine Milne’s own version

Ian Seraillier:
The Silver Sword - an excellent book
There’s No Escape

Robert Siegal:
Alpha Centauri

Andrew Lang:
The Blue Fairy Book
The Violet Fairy Book - & Red, Green & many others in this series

Arthur Ransome:
Old Peter’s Russian Tales
Swallows and Amazons - & many others in this series

John Masefield:
The Box of Delights - made into an excellent BBC TV series
The Midnight Folk

Roger Lancelyn Green:
The Tale of Troy
Myths of the Norsemen
Tales of Ancient Egypt - & many other similar collections and adaptations

E. B. White:
The Trumpet of the Swan - this is my favorite of his books
Stuart Little
Charlotte’s Web

Henry Williamson:
Tarka the Otter

Barbara Sleigh:
Carbonel - & others

Scott O’Dell:
Island of the Blue Dolphins

Wilson Rawls:
Where the Red Fern Grows

Norman Hunter:
Count Backwerdz on the Carpet - & others

Laura Ingalls Wilder:
Little House on the Prairie - & the whole series

Madeleine L’Engle:
A Wrinkle in Time
A Wind in the Door
A Swiftly Tilting Planet

J. K. Rowling:
The Harry Potter Books - children of all ages love them

Edward Lear:
The Owl and the Pussycat - wonderul illustrated editions - & other works

Mother Goose:
Nursery Rhymes - find good illustrated editions, many available

Teenagers - many of these can be read earlier than the teens if your child loves to read

Stephen Lawhead:
Taliesin
Merlin
Arthur - & several other good books

Madeleine L’Engle:
The Young Unicorns - & several other good books

Homer:
The Odyssey - find a good illustrated edition, in poetry - for 10 and up
The Illiad

Seamus Heaney:
Beowulf - an excellent poetic tranlation of the Anglo-Saxon classic

Charles Kingley:
Westward Ho - & many others

Gene Stratton Porter:
The Girl of the Limberlost - one of my favorite books as a young teen
The Harvester
Freckles
Michael O’Halloran - & several other fine books, now being republished

Anne McCaffrey:
Dragonflight - & series

Jack London:
The Call of the Wild - & movie
White Fang - & others

C. S. Forrester:
Captain Hornblower - & excellent series

Paul Gallico:
The Snow Goose
The Silent Miaow
Snowflake - & many other wonderful books

Sir Walter Scott:
Ivanhoe - & many others

James Fennimore Cooper:
The Prairie
Last of the Mohicans - & several others

Charlotte Bronte:
Jane Eyre

Emily Bronte:
Wuthering Heights

Anne Bronte:
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

Jane Austen:
Pride and Prejudice - TV series perhaps the best film adaptation of any book
Sense and Sensibility - excellent film and TV productions
Mansfield Park - filmed versions inadequate
Emma - two good films; Kate Beckinsdale the better; also Clueless!
Northanger Abbey - TV series and film
Persuasion - excellent filmed version

Charles Dickens:
Bleak House
Oliver Twist
Great Expectations
A Christmas Carol
A Tale of Two Cities -& many others

Thomas Hardy:
Under the Greenwood Tree - the only light-hearted of his novels
Tess of the D’Urbevilles - sad; others more miserable, but excellent

L. M. Montgomery:
Anne of Green Gables

Louisa May Alcott:
Little Women - & others

Mark Twain:
Huckleberry Finn
Tom Sawyer

James Herriot:
The Lord God Made Them All - & many others in series

H. Rider Haggard:
King Solomon’s Mines
Alan Quartermain
She - & others

William Shakespeare:
Henry V - start Shakespeare with this play & the outstanding movie
Much Ado about Nothing - another great movie
Romeo and Juliet - several movies including Leonardo de Caprio
Julius Caesar
Twelfth Night - fine movie with Ben Kingsley
Hamlet - great movie with Kenneth Branagh

George Orwell:
Animal Farm
1984

A. B. Patterson:
The Man from Snowy River - Australian verse story & excellent movie

Ellis Peters:
The Brother Cadfael Mysteries - about 2 dozen excellent books, also filmed with Derek Jacobi as Cadfael, a medieval Benedictine monk and sleuth - the author declared that she was converted through her character

John Donne:
Collected Poems - dean of St. Paul’s, excellent preacher and great poet

George Herbert:
Poems - a wonderful pastor and great poet

Herman Melville:
Moby Dick

Nathaniel Hawthorne:
The Scarlet Letter

Steven Crane:
The Red Badge of Courage

Edgar Allen Poe:
Tales of Mystery and Imagination

L. B. Graham:
Beyond the Summerland
Bringer of Storms - a fine series recently begun by one of our graduates!

Edgar Rice Burroughs:
The Tarzan books - well worth reading

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle:
Sherlock Holmes - many in the series

C. S. Lewis:
Out of the Silent Planet
Perelandra - excellent presentations of human glory and Satan’s temptation
That Hideous Strength - excellent science fiction series

Other good booklists:
Ambleside Online
Sonlight
Veritas Press

September 29, 2007  |  Comments (12)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Counting Down the Days. . .

Sidenote: And while I respect not all families like Harry Potter, I echo Hubby's sentiments when he says, "Enough bytes have given their lives already to endless debates over the ostensibly pagan nature of Harry Potter and his alleged ability to turn nice kids into warlocks. I'll confine my remarks to something I wrote the other day on a blog I frequent: If your child's grasp of Christianity is so tenuous that Harry Potter can turn him to the dark side, then you have failed in your covenant duties as a parent. Further, Hogwart's is little more than a fanciful adaptation of British public school life. I think a much greater threat than children turning to witchcraft is that they may develop a desire to wear knickerbockers and speak in fruity little English voices. Now THAT is something to fear."

July 09, 2007  |  Comments (9)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Review: The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down

The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down. No, this book isn't about Charismatics losing their faith, but rather about a Hmong family in California navigating the medical system while caring for their little girl with epilepsy. Read the full (long) review below the fold.

Continue reading "Review: The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down"

July 06, 2007  |  Comments (0)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

These Orbs of Light and Shade

"Our little systems have their day;
They have their day and cease to be:
They are but broken lights of Thee,
And Thou, O Lord, art more than they."

--Alfred, Lord Tennyson

May 11, 2007  |  Comments (0)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Reading Circle for Moms

The Reading Circle at Mothering By Grace finished Watership Down not long ago. Now we're gearing up to discuss Becky Bailey's book Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline.

Honestly, the name of this book has always gotten on my nerves. Though I've started reading it several times, I haven't yet finished it. I'm looking forward to reading and discussing it with other mothers, evaluating the ideas both in light of the Bible and practicality.

Feel free to join us! The discussion starts this coming Monday, April 23. I've found the book at my local library, as well as new at Amazon and used at Half.com.

Chapter 1
Chapter 2

April 19, 2007  |  Comments (3)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Poetry for Boys

As part of our homeschooling, Hubby has been reading poetry to the boys. Today he exegeted this gem from Kipling for them.

The Betrothed

“You must choose between me and your cigar.”

OPEN the old cigar-box, get me a Cuba stout,
For things are running crossways, and Maggie and I are out.

We quarrelled about Havanas—we fought o’er a good cheroot,
And I knew she is exacting, and she says I am a brute.

Open the old cigar-box—let me consider a space;
In the soft blue veil of the vapour musing on Maggie’s face.

Maggie is pretty to look at—Maggie’s a loving lass,
But the prettiest cheeks must wrinkle, the truest of loves must pass.

There’s peace in a Larranaga, there’s calm in a Henry Clay;
But the best cigar in an hour is finished and thrown away—

Thrown away for another as perfect and ripe and brown—
But I could not throw away Maggie for fear o’ the talk o’ the town!

Maggie, my wife at fifty—grey and dour and old—
With never another Maggie to purchase for love or gold!

And the light of Days that have Been the dark of the Days that Are,
And Love’s torch stinking and stale, like the butt of a dead cigar—

The butt of a dead cigar you are bound to keep in your pocket—
With never a new one to light tho’ it’s charred and black to the socket!

Open the old cigar-box—let me consider a while.
Here is a mild Manila—there is a wifely smile.

Which is the better portion—bondage bought with a ring,
Or a harem of dusky beauties, fifty tied in a string?

Counsellors cunning and silent—comforters true and tried,
And never a one of the fifty to sneer at a rival bride?

Thought in the early morning, solace in time of woes,
Peace in the hush of the twilight, balm ere my eyelids close,

This will the fifty give me, asking nought in return,
With only a Suttee’s passion—to do their duty and burn.

This will the fifty give me. When they are spent and dead,
Five times other fifties shall be my servants instead.

The furrows of far-off Java, the isles of the Spanish Main,
When they hear my harem is empty will send me my brides again.

I will take no heed to their raiment, nor food for their mouths withal,
So long as the gulls are nesting, so long as the showers fall.

I will scent ’em with best vanilla, with tea will I temper their hides,
And the Moor and the Mormon shall envy who read of the tale of my brides.

For Maggie has written a letter to give me my choice between
The wee little whimpering Love and the great god Nick o’ Teen.

And I have been servant of Love for barely a twelvemonth clear,
But I have been Priest of Cabanas a matter of seven year;

And the gloom of my bachelor days is flecked with the cheery light
Of stumps that I burned to Friendship and Pleasure and Work and Fight.

And I turn my eyes to the future that Maggie and I must prove,
But the only light on the marshes is the Will-o’-the-Wisp of Love.

Will it see me safe through my journey or leave me bogged in the mire?
Since a puff of tobacco can cloud it, shall I follow the fitful fire?

Open the old cigar-box—let me consider anew—
Old friends, and who is Maggie that I should abandon you?

A million surplus Maggies are willing to bear the yoke;
And a woman is only a woman, but a good Cigar is a Smoke.

Light me another Cuba—I hold to my first-sworn vows.
If Maggie will have no rival, I’ll have no Maggie for Spouse!

--Rudyard Kipling

Rumor has it A.A. Milne poems will be featured next week, in honor of R-almost-8's birthday.

February 15, 2007  |  Comments (7)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Dorothy Parker on Drinking

I like to have a Martini
Two at the very most
After three I'm under the table
After four I'm under my host

--Dorothy Parker

(Via Wiki)

January 15, 2007  |  Comments (6)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Plan Better. Read More. Share More.

Mike and Kristen at This Classical Life are encouraging thoughtfulness and reading with their TCL 2007 reading challenge.

Plan Better. Read More. Share More.

That's the motto, and honestly, what I'ld like to do this year. My reading the past several years has been quite haphazard. Now that we are in the land of public libraries with books in English, I'm wont to grab interesting books off of the shelf, bring them home, skim (or not) and return them. Snacking, not reading.

Right now it's hard for me to plan my reading. Hmmmm. . . Going to have to think about it and add to or ammend this list. I'll start off with some books on our shelves I've always been meaning to read and are appealing to me this year. Or I've already started and would really like to finish.

1. What To Listen For in Music
2. Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction
3. The Child in Christian Thought
4. Hold On To Your Kids
5. Care of the Soul
6. French Women Don't Get Fat
7. Rediscovering Catechism
8. The Last Puritan
9. Crooked Little Hart
10. Nurturing Children in the Lord
11. Blankets
12. Gilead

January 14, 2007  |  Comments (1)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Boys Love Books

Amy, who loves books, loves us.

October 14, 2006  |  Comments (5)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Sarasota Book Lovers

For the bibliophiles in the Sarasota area, here are some of the tips and tricks I use to get ahold of good reading materials.

1. Sarasota County Libraries
We like to go to Selby downtown for a "fun" excursion. The aquarium in the children's section is captivating. I hate the angled staircases up to the nonfiction section, however--they had weirdly angled staircases at the old Selby, too. I always felt like I was going to be sick when walking down them.
Fruitville is very child-friendly and has friendly librarians to boot. It probably has the best AV section and as it is just off of I75, is very convenient.
Gulf Gate library is small and homey, and the best for running quick errands. This is the library where I pay my fines because they are friendly and don't make me feel pariah for having overdue books.
While there are other locations, these are the three we frequent. Each of them have used bookstores run by the Friends of the Library.
Along with physical trips to the library, I do a lot of book reservations (and renewals) online. When a book isn't in the Sarasota County library book catalog, I put in a request and then visit AlleyCat.

2. AlleyCat
As it's slogan says, "A Couple of Clicks, Millions of Picks." This is a great resource, as it draws from public and academic libraries in this region of Florida. Hubby has used it for books he's needed to read for grad school, but weren't worth purchasing for his professional library. I've also found it useful for requesting older children's books that are recommended in homeschool resources and for books that are from Christian publishers. They are delivered for pickup to whichever local library I request--all at no charge! I usually do school planning with Homeschool Tracker, SCLIBS and AlleyCat all open, and request books as I plan.

3. Goodwill Bookstore
If you are local and haven't visited this bookstore, it's a must. The children's section has a good stock of homeschool texts and supplements, at least last time I stopped in. The prices aren't dirt cheap, but are very decent.

4. The Main Bookshop
A Sarasota icon, the Main Bookshop has been a key date destination since Hubby and I were first together. One Thanksgiving our post-dinner recreation was going in and buying Christmas presents for the entire family in one fell swoop. We spent our last anniversary browsing the Main, as the weather was too cranky to allow a walk along the beach.

5. A. Parker's Bookstore
Also a wonderful place to browse downtown, Parker's caters to rare and specialty books. I still regret I didn't buy a book of the stories behind nursery rhymes from Parker's.

6. The Living Word
One of the managers is Reformed Baptist and takes the extra effort to stock quality books, along with the kitsch stuff. They also have a decent section of homeschool materials from a range of publishers. Good service.

August 25, 2006  |  Comments (1)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Book Meme

I've seen this going around a lot lately, and was just tagged!

1. One book that changed your life:
Maybe an odd choice and not the most significant book I've ever read, but the info and timing of Mary Pride's original Big Book of Homeschooling which I read in 10th grade pointed me in a whole new direction.

2. One book that you’ve read more than once:
Like many bloggers, I’ve read a lot of books more than once! But ones I return to at least a couple of times a decade are the Anne books by L. M. Montgomery.

3. One book you’d want on a desert island:
Bible, definitely. I know some people are listing one book other than the Bible, but I can't imagine being stranded without the Psalms.

4. One book that made you laugh:
Operating Instructions, Anne Lamott

5. One book that made you cry:
Little Pilgrim's Progress, read aloud to the boys

6. One book that you wish had been written:
Children in the Covenant: The Theological, Philosophical, and Practical Implications

7. One book you wish had never been written:
I've seen Babywise listed more than any other single title. *L* But I'll still join in wishing Gary Ezzo had never opened a word doc.

8. One book you’re currently reading:
Hubby's military sci-fi manuscript, reading and editing.

9. One book you’ve been meaning to read:
Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress Free Productivity
David Allen. More.

10. Now tag five people:

Barbara Curtis (I know you're busy writing, but being the book-lover you are. . . well, I wanted to invite you to join in!) Barbara takes a break from her current book to blog with us about books!

Carmon Friedrich, another bibliophile (I didn't see that you had done this one yet.)

The College Girls ('Cause we all know college girls like to hit the books.)
Woohoo, Dr. Camille joins in!

Book-lovin' Becca (Maybe books will get you back to blogging!)

The Seven Realms (This is one I think would be really interesting!) And he doesn't disappoint!

August 14, 2006  |  Comments (4)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Book Meme - Done By J10

I printed out the questions for the book meme that is going around for our oldest son. Here are his answers, unprompted and unedited:

1. One book that changed your life:
Harry Potter 1 (He explained, it was the first real book he read all by himself.)

2. One book that you’ve read more than once:
Island of the Blue Dolphins

3. One book you’d want on a desert island:
World Military Power

4. One book that made you laugh:
Mattameo

5. One book that made you cry:
The Wide Window (He told me that he hadn't cried reading any book, that he could remember, but this one made him very sad.)

6. One book that you wish had been written:
The Kid Conservative: The Kids Guide to Building a Club

7. One book you wish had never been written:
Stupid White Men (Not that he's read it--he's just seen it on our shelf and knows he doesn't like Michael Moore.)

8. One book you’re currently reading:
World Military Power

9. One book you’ve been meaning to read:
The War Against Iraq

August 14, 2006  |  Comments (2)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Climbing in Bed with a Book

Feeling yuckier today than yesterday. I overdid it yesterday, but I wouldn't have missed Andrew's graduation for anything. (Pics later, I hope.) But now it's time for me to crawl in bed with a book. I have a new theological text to read, thanks to Tim Challies.

I'm feeling too nauseated to drink coffee. Bummer. But at least I have a good book.

Update: The book is good. But my concentration is shot. Ugh. Sipping Good Earth tea that Kristen sent me, and I've been saving for the right time.

May 20, 2006  |  Comments (5)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Of Books and Bands Unheard Of

So I went to the local Christian bookstore tonight. . . I like it, in spite of some of the cheesiness that is inevitable these days in Christian bookstores. It helps that a manager there goes to our neighborhood PCA and consciously stocks books I'd like to buy.

Anyway, there's a systematic theology I've heard about. While I adore Berkof, I wanted to get another perspective as well. I couldn't remember the authors name. "Grudem?" asked Skip.
"Nooo. . ."
"Oh, Reymond?"
"Yes!"

He showed me to the last one in stock. Yikes. I forgot the price tags that come along with books like that. I bought it anyway, thanks justifying that I might not get a 20% off coupon from Skip again, and that my folks sent me a birthday check a few weeks ago. (That birthday money also bought me new jammies. And a couple trips to the local coffee shop. And a few other things. It's the gift that keeps on giving. Or at least, keeps on letting me find room in the budget for splurge buys. . . *L*)

After that I wandered back to the music section. While I've enjoyed a wide range of music through the years, I've only allowed myself to be called a fan of The Choir. They recently released a new album. I couldn't find it. I asked the guy in the music section where I'd find it.

"The Choir? That's the group?"
"Yes, The Choir. O How the Mighty Have Fallen."
"Do you mean the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir?"
"No. Just The Choir."
"Hmmm. . . They must be an older group."
"You've never heard of The Choir? They're classic. Mid-80s SoCal alternative Christian pioneers?"
"No. . ."

I was shaking my head. The music "expert" for the store had never heard of The Choir. And I was feeling my age. Especially after his, "They must be an older group" comment. I had picked up "At the Foot of the Cross" and asked him if he was familiar with that. He was. I pointed out that Steve Hindalong was the producer, Steve Hindalong the lyricist and percussionist for the Choir. Blank look.

He looked it up on the computer. That store had never ordered, stocked, or sold a single Choir CD. The mind boggles. I told him he had to order something, just for his own listening edification.

I guess I'll just order it directly from Dan, Derri, and Steve. I bet this birthday check could stretch infinitely.

Remind me one day of swooning around Steve's parents and my "I'm a greedy little monkey" story.

April 08, 2006  |  Comments (12)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

The Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire will be released in theatres this Friday, November 19th. Get ready for the next round of nay-sayers and controversy. . .

I came across a neat HP related blog the other day, Sword of Gryffindor. (HT to someone. . . When I remember who--thank you!)

I'm looking forward to this movie. And depending on how it's made, looking forward to bringing my boys to see it.

November 12, 2005  |  Comments (4)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Harry Potter Just Arrived!

I was hoping-hoping-hoping it would arrive today!

But was still surprised it did.

Good job, Amazon.com!

July 16, 2005  |  Comments (6)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

First of Many

The first of my friends to finish the new Harry Potter book.

Here's their spoiler thread.

I haven't read the book or the thread yet. I like surprises.

Last time a HP book was released, I had friends stateside who ordered it from Amazon and had it arrive the day it was released. So, I'm hopeful. . . We had to wait nearly two months before it was released in Kyiv in English, and then paid full price.

I'm really looking forward to this book, though I want to have mid-level expectations so I'm not disappointed.

July 16, 2005  |  Comments (0)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Really Cool Library Sites

Oooh, oooh, oooh!

I can now request the hard-to-find-niche-publisher books that I've been wanting to read and not wanting to buy yet. (Read: Reformed books not available at the library.)

I don't know whether these sites work only within Florida or are nationwide. But they're cool.

AnywhereAnytimeLibrary.Org

AskALibrarian.Org

AlleyCat

July 01, 2005  |  Comments (0)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Most of All, Jesus Loves You: A Diet of Bookworms Review

Several evenings in a row, I have snuggled in bed with my youngest, reading Then every night Mama says, "Good night, and remember. . ."

Like any good bedtime book, Most of All, Jesus loves You has comforting rhythm and repetition. Noel Piper writes like a mother that has read many bedtime stories through the years.

While bold and colorful, Debby Anderson keeps the illustrations in this book peaceful.

Small children thrive in an atmosphere of love and routine--I think this book is a great aid in building both of those.

This is a review of Most of All, Jesus Loves You by Noel Piper and Debby Anderson. This book was provided through Diet of Bookworms as a gift from the publisher.

Related: Read my oldest son's review of this book and more DoB reviews.

June 24, 2005  |  Comments (0)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

God Knows My Name: A Diet of Bookworms Review

Woven throughout God Knows My Name are the attributes of God and what they may look like on a child's level, in day to day life. Especially emphasized are God's sovereignty and His immanence.

God sees me when I go out to play! yay! God is too wonderful for me to see Him now, but He sees me!

Each page has unobtrusive Scripture references for parents to look up with their children, or to encourage older children to read for themselves.

While I grew up with the Eloise Wilkin's tender pictures in children's books, I really like author/illustrator Debby Anderson's cheerful, bold style. The book is energetic, without being overwhelming.

I'm happy to have this book on my children's bookshelf. And with the theme of the attributes of God, I think it would be an especially fine gift for the children of new Believers.

This is a review of God Knows My Name by Debby Anderson. This book was provided through Diet of Bookworms as a gift from the publisher.

Related: Read my oldest son's review of this book.

June 24, 2005  |  Comments (2)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Book Reviews by J8

Thanks to Diet of Bookworms, I have several Crossway children's books to review. I'll be posting my reviews as well as ones written by my oldest son, J8. These are his first two book reviews ever.

God Knows My Name
by Debbie Anderson

Personally, I think that it is short but good. And is recommended for ages 2 to 5. It will tell you in many different wys of how God knows everything.

Most of All, Jesus Loves You
by Noel Piper, Illustrated by Debby Anderson

I like that it says your family loves you but God loves you more. And is recommended for ages 2 to 5.

June 24, 2005  |  Comments (2)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Reading and Mothering

As asked on a previous post:

As a mother of 4 how do you find the time to read so many books?

Wellll. . . I only started reading "real" books again about a year and a half ago. To be honest, there was a period in which I only had the focus to turn pages in magazines looking at the pictures.

Now that I have the desire and ability to read again, I just seem to work it in. After the kids are in bed, I like to soak in the tub and read. Or sprawl on the bed and read. Or sit near Hubby as he does his projects and read.

Books on tape are great for the car. I listened to The Secret Life of Bees during the solo drive from IL last week. The boys and I are listening to The Hobbit.

I read aloud to the kids. (Though not as much as I'd like.) Little Pilgrims Progress and The Chronicles of Narnia are favorites for that.

I've read books while cooking. Making jam and jelly provides for good reading time as you stir, stir, stir.

When I was nursing, I tried to find good pick-up-put-down books. Elisabeth Eliot's Keep a Quiet Heart was good for that.

Hubby reads everywhere he goes. He doesn't walk outside the house without a book. This gave him a lot of reading time when we were in Ukraine--on the metro, walking, riding in taxis.

I was an avid reader when I was a kid. I think when you're always trying to find more reading time as a kid, it's easier to find time as an adult.

Personally, I'm never able to read and watch the kids at the playground at the same time. I'm not THAT good at multitasking.

I know I have many bibliophiles reading here--how do y'all make time to read?

June 18, 2005  |  Comments (25)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Challies Giveaway--Two CDs and a Book!

This draw is open to anyone, anywhere in the world and runs from now until June 23, 2005 (12:00 PM EST). Two equal prizes will be awarded based on a random drawing from all entries received. Each prize is a copy of Pilgrim Days: Indelible Grace II CD, a copy of For all the Saints: Indelible Grace III CD and a copy of Twentysomeone by Craig Dunham & Doug Serven.

Btw, Twentysomeone is co-authored by the husband of my blogging-and-moving friend, Megan. *grin* Small world, huh? (Oh, and Craig and Doug have their own blog, too.)

So go ahead--enter Tim's drawing. You know you want to. You might even win (like I did in February!) My referral ID is 70971.

June 17, 2005  |  Comments (4)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

In the Review Queue

Diet of Bookworms:
Big Truths for Little Kids: Teaching Your Children to Live for God
Hymns for a Kid's Heart (Great Hymns of Our Faith)
Most of All, Jesus Loves You
Big Picture Story Bible
God Knows My Name

Mind and Media:
Natural Law
Boundaries of Technique
The Thinking Toolbox
Connecting With Your Kids
Unlock the Prison Doors (Reviewed 06/30/2005)

Do you judge a book by its cover? See them here.

June 16, 2005  |  Comments (0)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Narnia Goodies

TeachNarnia.Com

Narnia Downloads (via Miss O'Hara)

The Stone Table (Via Today's Lessons)

June 09, 2005  |  Comments (0)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

J8's Reading List

I kept meticulous records of what I read when I homeschooled in high school. I hadn't kept track of what I read before then--or very much since. I currently have a program on my blog (thanks to Tim) that lists my Amazon wishlist and the books I've read. It's been great.

I remember coming across my high school reading list a few years ago. It was so cool to read through the titles. I fondly remembered some of the books, and was surprised that I had read others (which were quickly forgotten.)

So, ever since J8 started reading I've tried to help him keep track of what he's read. He reads so fast, though, that it's been hard to do that (for him or me!)

I think I've found a system now for keeping up with it. On his daily homeschool checklist is now "Update Book List." All he has to do is pile the books on my desk and I spend a few minutes entering them into an Amazon "wishlist." But rather than a list of what he wants, it's a list of what he's read. The date I enter it is marked next to the book which provides a loose gauge of when he read it. We started this at the end of April, but have only recently been keeping it updated.

So, want to see what my oldest's reading interests are?

J8's Reading List

Update: Sparrow mentioned that she is redirected to her own wishlist instead of J8's. I changed the direct link, and if you still can't access it try to put "J8" in the search box where it says "Search for a Wishlist."

June 07, 2005  |  Comments (7)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

More on Books. . .

We're on a roll here. . . Books, books, books. Tracy of The Secret of Living tagged me earlier this week with this book meme. Of course, I couldn't resist!

1) Total books owned, ever: Impossible to answer. Really, I'm clueless. Hubby and I used to joke that the reason we married was to join our two libraries. We seriously stripped our book collection when we moved overseas. I was shocked when we got back to the States to see how many we had kept. Right now we have about 50 shelves in 10 bookcases filled, and some boxes in the garage of books we don't want to put out for young, reading eyes.

2) Last book I bought: A couple of motherhood memoirs at the library book sale in Illinois. Actually, my sis bought those for me because I didn't have a dollar. The last book that I actually purchased was a book for my sister, Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful .

3) Last book I read: Finished? A Live Coal In The Sea by Madeleine L'Engle. Currently reading books on my booklist.

4) Five books that mean a lot to me.
1. The Bible. Right now I'm sticking in the Psalms. Again.
2. Berkhof's Systematic Theology. It leads my heart to worship.
3. I'm going to come back to this one and answer it more completely later.
4.
5.

5) Tag five people: Camille. Eric. Valerie. Brian. Mollie.

May 30, 2005  |  Comments (10)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Unlock the Prison Doors: A Mind and Media Review

I usually don't just open a book to page one and start reading.

First I read the back cover, skimming over the book reviewers' quotes. Then I read the front flap summary and back flap author bio. Then the dedication. And thanks and preface and table of contents.

I like to get my feet thoroughly wet before jumping into a pool, too.

So even before I started reading the main text of Unlock the Prison Doors: Keys to Breaking the Chains of Habitual Sin, I knew it would be hard to give Terry Barber's book a favorable review.

While Pastor Barber has many years of experience--and I especially respect the time he and his family have ministered in Turkey--his educational background is less than I expected. I'm autodidactic myself, so degrees are not everything to me. However, I am on alert when I don't see a degree from a seminary which I respect.

Then the first resource credited in the acknowledgements is Bill Gothard. The big Bill G., fount of principles and legalisms. My scriptural-principle-and-corny-diagram detector was on high alert after that.

And Pastor Barber doesn't let us down.

His book is divided into fifteen chapters, one for each of the "Keys" he's teaching, like Key Six: Spiritual Laws. In a Gothardesque way, Pastor Barber expounds on the "Cycle of Sin" and "Cycle of Righteousness," keys four and five respectively. Chapter seven even has a diagram including an umbrella of authority.

By this point I was unwilling to consider this book as a reliable resource.

Perhaps this is all simply a matter of expectations and perceptions. I was expecting a more theologically oriented book on sanctification, with sound exegesis and ideas on practical application on "breaking free from habitual sin."

Instead, this book is written in a warm and conversational style. Pastor Barber's desire to help comes through clearly. Yet, perhaps that informal touch comes across too strongly with the "Uncle Ebee" stories. I'd rather hear an author share from the heart their personal struggles with sin and how they found God to be faithful, than to hear folksy vignettes. In and example of victory over lust, I don't want to hear of a fictitious Uncle Ebee looking at a girl in a bikini. What about sharing the real struggles, dependence upon God, and breaking free from sin?

That said I do want to point out some good things in this book. First, instead of merely giving Scripture references, Pastor Barber frequently quotes the full text of Bible verses. How can a reader but be blessed when he is reading from the Word of God?

Also Pastor Barber continually points people to Christ, reaffirming the Gospel and our need for God. He didn't seem to fall into the trap of "Implement these Biblical principles I've discovered, and succeed!"

In summary, I don't doubt that God can use this book to help people. But it's not a resource I'd particularly recommend for a theological understanding of sanctification or real help in our struggle with sin.

This is a review of Unlock the Prison Doors: Keys to Breaking the Chains of Habitual Sin by Pastor Terry Barber. This book was provided through Mind and Media as a gift from the publisher.

Read more about this book at Diet of Bookworms.

May 30, 2005  |  Comments (3)  |  TrackBack (0)  |  Permalink

 

 

Books and Stuff. . .

We were still in Kyiv when Mind and Media (aka blogforbooks.com) first began. Of course I was intrigued, but waited until returning to the States before participating.

So, I was pretty excited to recieve my first Mind and Media book in Friday's mail. I chose to review it because the title and cover caught my eye. (Who doesn't judge a book by its cover?) Within moments of opening the book, I realized it would be difficult to write a glowing review. I'm disappointed about that. But M&M said go ahead and write a review. So I did.

Veering to another topic, Hubby's unpacked and organized most of our music. We worked and unpacked more boxes while listening to Skankin' Pickle tonight. This cd has great cover graphics, as well as catchy music.

And I finished reading the Madeleine L'Engle book Hubby picked up for me at a library book sale earlier this week. Her writing in this book doesn't have the musical rhythm that it does in other ones, but it still made me cry. Mercy, mercy was the theme and went straight to the heart.

Madeleine is one of the names on my short-list for a girl.